Boone County Divorce Records
How To Find a Divorce Record In Boone County in 2026
BooneILRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Boone County, Illinois. Members of the public may find case summaries, final decrees, party names, filing dates, and related court documents. Available record categories may include dissolution of marriage filings, child custody orders, property settlement agreements, support orders, and post-judgment modifications. Access and completeness of records may vary depending on the case, filing date, and applicable privacy protections.
Records may be searched through official resources including the Boone County Circuit Court Clerk's office, public access terminals at the courthouse, the Illinois Courts online portal, and the Illinois Department of Public Health's vital records system.
Online Searches
1. Clerk of Court Case Search
The Boone County Circuit Court Clerk maintains case records that members of the public may search by party name or case number. Basic case information is available at no charge; fees apply for certified copies or document reproduction.
2. State Court System Portal
The Illinois Courts website provides approved statewide forms and procedural guidance for dissolution of marriage proceedings. The Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice has approved standardized forms for divorce, child support, and maintenance matters, which are accessible through the portal.
3. State Vital Records
The Illinois Department of Public Health maintains statistical records of dissolutions of marriage; however, the Illinois Department of Public Health does not issue certified copies of dissolution of marriage records. Certified copies are available exclusively from the circuit court clerk in the county where the divorce was granted.
In-Person Searches
Boone County Circuit Court Clerk — Family Division
Boone County Courthouse
601 N. Main Street
Belvidere, IL 61008
Phone: (815) 544-0371
Boone County Clerk & Recorder
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Members of the public may visit the Clerk's office to:
- Search case files by party name or case number
- View documents at public access terminals
- Request certified copies of final decrees and orders
- Obtain staff assistance for locating records
By Mail
Written Request:
- Mail to: Boone County Circuit Court Clerk, 601 N. Main Street, Belvidere, IL 61008
- Include the following:
- Full names of both parties
- Approximate date of divorce
- Case number (if known)
- Requestor's contact information
- Purpose of request (if required)
- Payment for applicable copy fees
- Self-addressed stamped envelope
- Processing time: Requests are processed within approximately 1–2 weeks, subject to volume and record availability.
By Phone
Limited Information Available:
- Boone County Circuit Court Clerk: (815) 544-0371
- Staff may confirm:
- Whether a case exists
- Case number
- Case status
- Filing date
- Staff cannot provide:
- Detailed document contents by phone
- Copies of documents
- Confidential or restricted information
Through Attorneys
An attorney of record may access the complete case file, including documents that may be restricted from general public view. Attorneys may petition the court for access to sealed records upon a showing of good cause. Members of the public seeking legal representation may consult the Illinois State Bar Association lawyer referral service.
Information Needed for Search
Essential Information:
- Full legal names of both spouses
- Maiden names, if applicable
- Approximate date of divorce
- Case number, if known
Helpful Information:
- Date and location of marriage
- Previous addresses in Boone County
- Names of children, if applicable
- Names of attorneys of record, if known
Search in Correct County
Under Illinois law, a petition for dissolution of marriage is filed in the county where either spouse resides at the time of filing. Members of the public who are unable to locate a record in Boone County may need to search adjacent counties. A divorce record cannot be located by searching the county where the marriage occurred unless one of the parties also resided there at the time of filing.
Residency Requirement: Pursuant to 750 ILCS § 5/401, one spouse must have been a resident of Illinois for at least 90 days before a judgment of dissolution of marriage may be entered.
Time Considerations
Recent Divorces:
- Records may not appear in the system immediately following a final hearing
- Allow several business days to weeks for processing after the judgment is entered
Older Divorces:
- Records predating electronic filing may be archived in paper format
- Archived cases may require additional retrieval time
- Not all historical records have been digitized
What If You Cannot Find a Record
Common Issues:
- Record filed in a different county
- Name variations between married and maiden names
- Spelling differences in party names
- Case still pending and not yet finalized
- Very old records held in off-site storage
- Case sealed by court order
Next Steps:
- Contact the Clerk's office at (815) 544-0371
- Attempt alternate name spellings
- Search under both spouses' names
- Submit a FOIA request through Boone County's official portal for applicable government records
- Consult an attorney for complex or sealed record situations
What Are Boone County Divorce Records?
Boone County divorce records are official court documents generated during dissolution of marriage proceedings filed in the Boone County Circuit Court. These records constitute part of the family law court file and are maintained by the Circuit Court Clerk as the primary custodian. Under Illinois law, dissolution of marriage is governed by the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, 750 ILCS § 5/101 et seq., which establishes the legal framework for all divorce proceedings in the state.
Types of Divorce Records:
Court Case Files include the following documents:
- Petition for dissolution of marriage
- Response or answer to the petition
- Financial affidavits from both parties
- Parenting plans and custody agreements
- Marital settlement agreements
- Motions, orders, and hearing notices
- Transcripts of court proceedings
- Final judgment of dissolution of marriage
Final Decree is the official court order terminating the marriage. It establishes:
- The legal date of dissolution
- Division of marital property and debts
- Spousal maintenance orders, if any
- Child custody and parenting time arrangements, if applicable
- Child support orders, if applicable
- Restoration of a former name, if requested
Certified copies of the final decree are available from the Circuit Court Clerk and serve as legal proof of divorce for purposes including remarriage, name changes, estate planning, immigration proceedings, and Social Security benefit applications.
Supporting Documents may include marriage certificates, financial disclosure statements, property inventories, appraisals, and post-judgment modification orders.
Who Maintains Divorce Records:
The Boone County Circuit Court Clerk is the primary custodian of all divorce case files and provides certified copies upon request. The Boone County Clerk & Recorder serves as Keeper of County Records and Chief Election Officer, and also maintains vital records including birth, marriage, and related documents. As noted by the Illinois Department of Public Health, the state vital records office does not issue certified copies of dissolution of marriage records; those are available only from the circuit court clerk in the county where the divorce was granted.
Are Boone County Divorce Records Public?
Divorce records filed in Boone County Circuit Court are public court records subject to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS § 140/1 et seq.) and applicable Illinois Supreme Court Rules governing access to court records. Members of the public may access basic case information and most filed documents; however, certain categories of information are restricted or may be sealed by court order.
What Is Public:
- Case number and filing date
- Names of parties (petitioner and respondent)
- Names of attorneys of record
- Court hearing dates and docket entries
- Court orders and judgments
- Final judgment of dissolution of marriage
- Property division orders
- General case status
What May Be Restricted:
Financial Information:
- Social Security numbers (redacted pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138)
- Bank account and credit card numbers (redacted)
- Detailed tax returns (may be filed under seal)
- Salary and income details (subject to limited access in some circumstances)
Children's Information:
- Addresses where minor children reside
- Schools children attend
- Medical and psychological evaluations of children
- Child custody evaluations (may be sealed)
- Guardian ad litem reports (restricted access)
Sensitive Personal Information:
- Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence
- Mental health and substance abuse treatment records
- Personal addresses in cases involving protective orders
- Mediation communications (confidential by statute)
Sealed Records: A court may seal all or part of a case file upon a showing of good cause. Cases involving allegations of abuse, high-profile parties, or confidential settlement terms may be subject to sealing orders. Members of the public seeking access to sealed records must file a motion with the court and demonstrate a legitimate legal basis.
Who Can Access Records:
| Requestor | Level of Access |
|---|---|
| General public | Public documents; may need to show ID and pay copy fees |
| Parties to the case | Full access to their own case file |
| Attorneys of record | Full access; may petition for sealed documents |
| Researchers and media | Public portions; court permission required for sealed records |
| Law enforcement | Statutory access to certain restricted information |
Prohibited Uses of Divorce Records:
- Stalking, harassment, or intimidation
- Identity theft or fraud
- Violation of existing protective orders
- Commercial exploitation where prohibited by law
Permitted Uses:
- Legal proceedings and background verification
- Genealogical and family history research
- News reporting protected under the First Amendment
- Academic research
- Personal verification of divorce terms
How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Boone County?
The Boone County Circuit Court Clerk charges standard fees for copies and certified documents in accordance with Illinois statutory authority. Current fees are established under 705 ILCS § 105/27.1, which governs clerk fees in circuit courts.
Standard Fee Schedule:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain copy (per page) | $0.50 per page |
| Certified copy of judgment or decree | $6.00 per document (plus per-page copy fee) |
| Certification fee | $6.00 |
| Electronic copy (where available) | Varies; contact Clerk's office |
| Search fee | No separate search fee for in-person requests |
- Inspection of records at public access terminals is available at no charge during regular business hours.
- Certified copies of the final judgment of dissolution are the most requested document type and carry the certification fee in addition to per-page copy costs.
- Payment methods accepted at the Boone County Circuit Court Clerk's office include cash, check, and money order payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Members of the public should confirm current accepted payment methods directly with the Clerk's office, as policies may change.
- Fee waivers may be available for indigent parties who qualify under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 298. A completed Application for Waiver of Court Fees must be submitted and approved by the court.
- Free access: Members of the public may view case docket entries and review documents at public access terminals in the courthouse at no charge. Fees apply only when copies or certified documents are requested.
What's Included in Divorce Records in Boone County
A complete Boone County dissolution of marriage case file contains documents generated from the initial filing through final judgment and any post-judgment proceedings. The scope of the file depends on whether the case was contested or uncontested and whether children or significant assets were involved.
Basic Case Information includes the case caption with case number, court name, names of petitioner and respondent, assigned judge, and attorneys of record, along with the filing date, case type, and jurisdictional basis.
Initial Pleadings consist of the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, which sets forth the parties' identifying information, date and location of marriage, grounds for divorce (Illinois is a no-fault state requiring only a showing of irreconcilable differences under 750 ILCS § 5/401), children's information, property claims, and relief requested. The respondent's Answer or Response, and any Counterpetition, are also part of the initial pleadings.
Financial Affidavits from both parties disclose income from all sources, monthly expenses, assets (real property, vehicles, bank accounts, investments, retirement accounts, and personal property), and liabilities including mortgages, loans, and credit card debt.
Discovery Documents may include interrogatories and answers, requests for production of documents, tax returns, pay stubs, bank and investment account statements, retirement account statements, and business financial records where applicable.
Property-Related Documents include marital asset and debt inventories, real property appraisals, business valuations, and expert reports on the value of marital assets.
Children-Related Documents, where applicable, include:
- Parenting plan specifying legal and physical custody, parenting time schedules (regular, holiday, summer, and vacation), transportation arrangements, and decision-making responsibilities for education, healthcare, religion, and extracurricular activities
- Child support calculation worksheets reflecting income, number of overnights, health insurance costs, and childcare costs
- Custody evaluations and guardian ad litem reports (which may be restricted from public access)
Settlement Documents include the Marital Settlement Agreement, which is a comprehensive written agreement resolving all issues including property division, debt allocation, spousal maintenance, and child-related provisions. Mediation agreements, where applicable, may be incorporated into the settlement agreement.
Court Orders and Judgments include temporary orders entered during the pendency of the case, the Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage, Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) for division of retirement accounts, and any post-judgment modification or enforcement orders.
Post-Judgment Documents may include petitions to modify custody or support, contempt motions, income deduction orders, and lien filings related to support enforcement.
What Is Typically Confidential or Redacted:
- Social Security numbers and financial account numbers
- Children's residential addresses and school information
- Domestic violence details in cases with protective orders
- Mental health and substance abuse evaluation records
- Mediation communications
- Trade secrets in business valuation documents
How to Get Proof of Divorce in Boone County?
Proof of divorce in Boone County is obtained through a certified copy of the Final Judgment of Dissolution of Marriage issued by the Boone County Circuit Court Clerk. A certified copy bears the official court seal and the clerk's certification, making it legally acceptable for remarriage applications, name change proceedings, passport applications, immigration filings, and Social Security or pension benefit claims.
Steps to Obtain a Certified Copy:
- Identify the case. Locate the case number and filing date using the Clerk's in-person search, public access terminal, or by contacting the office at (815) 544-0371.
- Submit a request. Requests may be made in person at the Boone County Courthouse, by mail to 601 N. Main Street, Belvidere, IL 61008, or by following procedures posted on the Boone County Clerk & Recorder website.
- Provide identifying information. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate date of divorce, and the case number if known.
- Pay applicable fees. The current certification fee applies per document, plus per-page copy costs. Payment by cash, check, or money order is accepted.
- Receive the certified copy. In-person requests are processed at the time of visit, subject to staff availability. Mail requests are processed within approximately 1–2 weeks.
Members of the public who require a divorce certificate for statistical purposes rather than a certified court copy may contact the Illinois Department of Public Health; however, as noted by IDPH, the department does not issue certified copies and directs requestors to the circuit court clerk in the county of filing.
For members of the public who need to submit a FOIA request for related government records, Boone County maintains an online portal for FOIA requests, including a dedicated form for the Boone County Sheriff and Belvidere Police Department.
Boone County Courthouse — Circuit Court Clerk
601 N. Main Street
Belvidere, IL 61008
Phone: (815) 544-0371
Boone County Clerk & Recorder
Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Boone County?
A divorce proceeding in Boone County may be partially or fully confidential under specific legal circumstances, though the default presumption under Illinois law is that court records are open to public inspection.
The following circumstances may result in confidential or restricted records:
- Court-ordered sealing: A judge may seal all or part of a case file upon a motion demonstrating good cause, such as the presence of sensitive financial information, trade secrets, or safety concerns for a party or child.
- Domestic violence cases: Where a protective order is in place, personal address information and certain allegations may be withheld from public access to protect the safety of victims.
- Children's information: Pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court rules, information identifying the residential address, school, or medical details of minor children is subject to restriction.
- Mental health and substance abuse records: These records are protected under both state and federal law and are not part of the publicly accessible court file.
- Mediation communications: Under the Illinois Uniform Mediation Act, communications made during mediation are confidential and are not filed with the court or accessible to the public.
- Redacted financial identifiers: Social Security numbers and financial account numbers are redacted from all publicly accessible documents pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 138.
Members of the public seeking access to sealed or restricted portions of a divorce file must file a written motion with the Boone County Circuit Court and demonstrate a legitimate legal basis for access.
How Long Does Boone County Keep Divorce Records?
Boone County Circuit Court divorce records are retained in accordance with the Illinois Supreme Court's records retention schedule and applicable state law, which mandate long-term preservation of court case files.
Retention periods for divorce records in Boone County are as follows:
- Final judgments of dissolution of marriage: Retained permanently. Final decrees are considered permanent court records and are not subject to destruction.
- Complete case files (contested cases): Retained for a minimum of 20 years following the close of the case, and in many instances permanently, depending on the nature of the proceedings and any ongoing orders such as child support or maintenance.
- Complete case files (uncontested cases): Retained for a minimum of 7–10 years following the close of the case, subject to the Illinois Supreme Court's records management guidelines.
- Post-judgment modification and enforcement records: Retained as part of the original case file for the duration of the applicable retention period.
- Archived paper records: Older records that predate electronic filing are maintained in physical storage and may require additional retrieval time. Not all historical records have been converted to digital format.
- Electronic records: Cases filed electronically are maintained in the court's case management system and are accessible through the Clerk's office.
Members of the public seeking records from cases closed many years ago should contact the Boone County Circuit Court Clerk directly at (815) 544-0371 to confirm availability and retrieval procedures for archived files.